Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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The Ring-Tailed Lemur

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 2:15-16  “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…..”

These sweet-looking lemurs are known for their black and white striped tails and apparently enjoy sunbathing!  Originally from Madagascar, they have powerful scent glands.  They use their distinctive odor to communicate and to dominate.  The lemurs will mark their territory by their scent, but they will also try to “outstink” each other during mating season!  They do this by rubbing their smelly secretions all over their tails and then by waving them in the air to establish dominance!

Today’s verse speaks of differing reactions to our “smell” or influence.  To those God is calling to Himself, we have a pleasing aroma.  These are people in our lives that seem to be open and friendly.  They know of our relationship with Jesus and continue their contact with us.  We can and do pray that the Lord is continuing to draw them to Himself and that He will use our fragrance.  But there is another group that are in the process of rejecting the Savior.  Quite frankly, we stink to them.  We can be as friendly as humanly possible but they are continually offended by our stench!

I am a people pleaser and it bothers me when I am rejected because of my faith in the Lord.  Yet, I understand that the claims of Jesus do have a polarizing effect on people.  The lines are drawn and there is no middle ground when it comes to saving faith in Christ.  I am just thankful that for those God is drawing to Himself, I can be a pleasing aroma.

Lord, keep me faithful to You.


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Elephants Never Forget

Scripture for Today:  Phil. 3:13b-14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

It is a common adage that, “elephants never forget.”  There have been many scientific studies done and it has been established that although they don’t remember every little thing, elephants do have remarkable memories.  The older females leading a herd are especially likely to remember previous watering holes.  They remember the urine smells of up to 30 other elephants in their herd, distinguishing friend from foe.

Today’s verse talks about the value of forgetting something very specific.  Paul is saying that to make any progress in our Christian growth, we are to FORGET what is behind.  I always assumed, knowing Paul’s past of persecuting the Church, that he meant his past sins.  However, the context of the passage speaks of his Jewish lineage, his zeal and his righteousness.  He counted his religiosity and good works as rubbish in order to know Christ and to have the righteousness which comes from faith in Him.

What does this mean for me?  Do I pride myself in past accomplishments in the realm of good works?  Am I on  “cruise control” in my spiritual journey, thinking what I’ve already done for the Lord can somehow carry me along?  Or am I motivated to keep on keeping on?  It is a sobering thought to realize that any spiritual pride or SELF righteousness will keep me from moving forward.  Better to forget even the good things in my past if they cause me to be complacent in the present.  The Lord does not want me to relax but to keep pressing on to a deeper and more satisfying relationship with HIm.

Lord, keep me motivated to press on.

 


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Block Chain

Psalm 55:19 “God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change – He will hear them and humble them because they have no fear of God.”

You can try but you cannot change it!  That is the idea behind the “block chain.”  It is a digital ledger that is designed so that transactions made with bit coin and other cryptocurrency are meddle-proof and unable to be deleted.  The block chain is an accounting method that verifies transactions and creates a record that cannot be changed.  Because everything is unique and traceable, it cannot be copied.  Because this system is “immutable”, it generates trust and truth.

Today’s verse tells us that God does not change.  He is “immutable” and this attribute also generates trust and truth!  His character is irrevocable.  Who He was in times long past is who He still is today!  He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb.13:8).  He does not need to change, grow, mature or self-correct because He is perfect.  His Word and promises are binding and permanent!  He hears the cries of the righteous because He has promised and He will humble those who have no fear of God, because He has promised.

I never have to worry that God will change His mind about me.  I never have to doubt His unfailing love that does not change.  He has promised His presence for “always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)  I do not have to question whether He is going to show up or not!  The fact that He does not change strengthens my trust in Him.  How relieved I am that I do not have a God who is capricious and unpredictable!  He is my solid, immoveable and immutable rock and I can trust Him completely.

Lord, strengthen my trust in You today.


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Crossed Fingers

Scripture for Today:  “II Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ. And so through Him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

It is said that crossing the middle finger over the index finger as a gesture for luck or God’s favor became popular during wars in the 14th to 15th centuries.  Much later, those crossed fingers were made to silently ask for luck in getting away with a lie!  I still remember crossing my fingers behind my back as a little girl when lying, somehow feeling that in doing so the lie would not count!

Today’s verse teaches that all of God’s promises will be answered with a resounding “YES” in Christ.  The number of promises God has made is not a factor.  What God promises He fulfills as He cannot lie.  He is always faithful to His word.  There are no crossed fingers behind His back!  Some promises in God’s Word are made to a particular person or group of people.  Some promises are made with conditions attached.  But in any case, He can be counted on to honor His word.

Regardless of how I am feeling, what God declares is always reliable and trustworthy.  Sometimes, it is hard to believe that He is not like me; fickle.  If He were capricious, life would not be worth living.  I am so glad that He is not and I can always count on HIm.  I can and do build my life on His promises, trusting that He is faithful.  When I live with this kind of confidence, I am living out my “Amen” to His word and my life can give Him the glory He deserves!

Thank you Lord, for Your precious promises to me.  Help me believe them today.


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False Alarm!

Scripture for Today:  II Peter 3:4 “They (the scoffers) will say, ‘Where is this coming He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.'”

The noise was deafening as I quickly sat bolt upright in bed!  The smoke alarm sounded at 3:30 am.  In principle I am glad to know it works.  However, there was no smoke and it was a false alarm.  My husband quickly unscrewed the thing and took it into the garage to try to stop it.  The neighbors were none too happy as it continued to sound.  As it lay there, finally silent (and destroyed) we learned a valuable lesson.  Never try to figure out the workings of a smoke detector in the middle of the night!

There are no false alarms with God’s warnings.  He keeps all of His promises whether they be positive or negative.  His warnings are clear in Scripture, but as today’s verse shows, there will always be those who scoff.  He gives His warnings of judgement to be heeded.  He is not willing that any should perish! (verse 9)  He waits to mete out His justice out of incredible patience.  There are no false alarms with Him, only a desire that all come to repentance while there is still time to do so.

How gracious the Lord is to give warning!  How loving He is to wait.  As there are loved ones in my family who continue to rebel, I am so so thankful that He waits.  But His Word is sure.  There is coming a day of judgement and reckoning, although it is not a popular topic.  However, because of His grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, I am grateful I do not have to fear that day.

Thank you Lord, for sounding the alarm and I pray more would heed it!